Questions around test prep and college entrance exams can seem even more daunting than the questions on the exams themselves. While the test-optional option was in place at hundreds of colleges before the pandemic, the idea of being a “test-optional” candidate took hold since 2020. However, the State of Ohio makes it possible for every high school junior to take an ACT or SAT through their high school, so access to take a test is not an issue. Over the last few years, colleges that were test optional in 2020 announced that scores are now required. Most significantly to our students, The Ohio State University, University of Tennessee, and Purdue University are no longer test optional.

Know the policies
✅ Test Optional – Applicants can opt to not send ACT or SAT scores as part of their college application. Note that some academic programs/majors as well as scholarship opportunities may still require scores.
✅ Test Blind – Even if an applicant submits scores, the scores will not be seen nor considered in admissions.
✅ Test Preferred – Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their scores.
✅ Test Required – All applicants must submit at least one complete score from the ACT or SAT.
✅ Test Flexible – Applicants may be able to submit alternative test scores (for example, Advanced Placement exam scores) instead of an ACT or SAT score.

Know the tests
✅ The PSAT and SAT are delivered on a digital platform called “Bluebook” that is compatible with Macs and PCs. (Bluebook will only work on Chromebooks on school networks.) These tests are only available online with very limited exceptions for some students with accommodations.
✅ The PSAT and SAT tests employ multistage adaptive testing. Each test section (Reading/Writing and Math) is divided into two equal-length, separately timed parts. Student performance in the first module determines the questions they receive in the second module.
✅ Given on paper or online, the ACT is not be adaptive.
✅ In the new ACT, the Science section is optional, and the Writing section will remain optional. It is rarely our recommendation that a student take the ACT optional sections.

Is one test better than another?
The ACT leads the market in our area of southwest Ohio with most high schools offering the ACT as their state-sponsored test. In college admissions, however, there is no preference for the ACT or SAT–both are accepted and considered equally. Still, some students might opt to try both the ACT and the SAT, and many students will experience at least one Preliminary SAT (PSAT) at their high school. At Class 101-Dayton, we assist our students in determining which test and format is best for them.

Do I need a test score to apply to college?
There is not a simple answer to this question. However, there is a trend among top colleges and popular state flagship schools to require an ACT or SAT for admissions. Some students should send their test scores to every college they apply to, and some students should apply to all of their colleges “test optional.” And still other students will send their scores to some schools but apply test-optional to others. It depends on your college list, GPA and high school transcript, major interest and area of study, and your college preferences for honors, accelerated, or other specialized programs.

Do all juniors have to take the state sponsored ACT or SAT in their high school?
No. A parent or guardian can opt their student out of taking the state-funded ACT or SAT. Schools are still required to offer one state-funded test (ACT or SAT) at no cost to all eleventh grade students.

What is the PSAT?
Some think the PSAT is simply a practice test—an indicator of where a student may score on the SAT. Most don’t know that the PSAT is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program for juniors. The PSAT is a digital test that is delivered by a student’s high school in the fall. In 2025 ,the PSAT/NMSQT can be offered on weekdays during the testing window of October 1-31 as well as Saturday, October 17. 

Class 101-Dayton will stay ahead of the changes coming to testing as we design the best prep and resources for our students. Reach out to us at 937-705-5113 to learn more. 

Upcoming Class 101 Test Prep Dates
All Class 101-Dayton college planning students can access our prep classes as well as individual test prep. 

C101 Fall SAT/PSAT Reviews
✅ Sunday afternoons: September 13, 20, 27, and October 4 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. 
✅ SAT DATES: August 22, September 12, October 3, November 7, December 5, March 6, May 1, June 5 
✅ This four week review offers juniors a chance to practice the format for the online PSAT or SAT tests with time to review key strategies and question types. Students who join this review should register for the October and/or November SAT. To register for the SAT, students can create their account on https://mysat.collegeboard.org/login  High schools register their students for the PSAT; talk to your high school counselor if you have questions about your PSAT registration. 

Class 101 Fall Classes for Juniors
✅ Monday nights: September 14, 21, 28, October 5, October 12 from 6 to 8 p.m.
✅ ACT DATES: September 19, October 17, December 12, February 27, April 10, June 12, July 10
✅ This five week course provides a baseline prep for students who will take their first ACT in October. To sign up for the ACT, juniors should create an account on act.org and sign up for the October 17 ACT without Science or Writing. Never automatically send scores to colleges. Class 101 juniors can sign up for our ACT Class here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945ADAF29AAFFCF8-64782852-2026#/ 

Class 101 ACT Classes for Juniors for the February 27 ACT and in school ACTs
✅ Monday nights beginning January from 6 to 8 p.m.

Class 101 SAT Winter Classes for Juniors TBD depending upon the number of local high schools that will offer the SAT instead of the ACT.